BINAN -- Stallion Laguna failed to retake the third place in the Philippines Football League (PFL) table after Mendiola held the host squad to a shock goalless draw at the Biñan Football Stadium on Wednesday.
Despite Stallion Laguna being the aggressor for almost the entire match, the home side failed to find the target, and instead, it was Mendiola that came close to a stunning road win, although Alen Angeles, who found himself with only Pepito Hayeson, who started at goalkeeper for the injured Nelson Gasic, to beat sent his shot over the bar.
With the draw, Mendiola now has 11 points after 14 matches as the club takes an early FIFA international break.
Stallion Laguna found itself in a tie with Green Archers United on points with 22 points, but the latter owns the tiebreaker on a slightly better goal difference.
Both teams will face off on Saturday night to determine which team will enter the Azkals break in third place at the Aboitiz Pitch in Lipa, Batangas.
Ceres Negros 13 Global Makati 0
Speaking of the Aboitiz Pitch, the venue witnessed the most lopsided result in the young history of the PFL as Ceres Negros zapped Global Makati, 13-0.
The match was already decided at halftime as Ceres Negros raced to a 5-0 lead in the first 45 minutes thanks to mid-first half strikes from Bienve Maranon (20th minute), Stephan Schrock (25th), and Robert Mendy (30th) and a brace from Mike Ott (40th and 45th minutes) later in the half.
However, Ceres Negros did not stop from there as the club dropped eight more goals in the second half beginning with Tadashi Odawara's 51st minute attack.
Mendy, Maranon, and Ott then completed their own hat tricks with Ott getting his third goal in the 65th minute, Mendy, who also got a 56th minute goal, completing his in the 79th minute and Maranon, who scored in the 59th minute, achieving his in the 80th minute.
Maranon even added a fourth goal for himself with an 88th minute penalty.
James Younghusband finally scored for Ceres Negros in his third match with the team, scoring on a wide open pointblank shot in the 85th minute.
The outcome eclipsed the former record that Ceres Negros also built on July 13 when it blasted Air Force, 12-0.
Ceres Negros remains unbeaten after 14 games and has now won its last 13 games since drawing with Stallion Laguna on opening night.
Ceres Negros, now with 40 points, also reopened a six-point gap with Kaya Iloilo for first place in the league table as both clubs will take their own time off due to the international break.
Global Makati, meanwhile, stays at the bottom with only four points to show, but the club has the chance to move up in the rankings with a win against Air Force on Saturday. (PNA)
